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BEIJING (AP)—The acting boss of Asian football said FIFA had no right to suspend Mohamed bin Hammam from his role as head of the Asian Football Confederation, a Chinese newspaper reported Tuesday.

Zhang Jilong was installed as the AFC’s interim president while bin Hammam is suspended from all football duties pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations he offered bribes in return for votes in his now-abandoned bid for the FIFA presidency.

Asian Football Confederation (…
AP - May 29, 7:44 am EDT

“FIFA suspended bin Hammam but he is still the president of AFC,” Zhang was quoted to say by the China Daily, citing quotes from the Chinese news website Sina.com. “FIFA has no right to prevent him from acting his role in AFC.”

The quote had been removed from Sina.com’s news article by Tuesday afternoon.

Despite Zhang’s remarks, the AFC confirmed in a statement early Tuesday that he would act as its president during bin Hammam’s suspension.

Zhang, 59, is the AFC’s most senior vice president. He ran for a seat on FIFA’s executive committee earlier this year, but lost out in a vote at January’s AFC congress in Doha. He also served on the 2008 Beijing Olympics organizing committee.

FIFA’s 208 member nations are due to vote on the presidency on Wednesday, even though incumbent Sepp Blatter is the only candidate.

FIFA vice president Michel Platini had raised the prospect of a walkout by Asian members in protest at bin Hammam’s treatment, although the Qatari is far from universally popular within Asian football, only being re-elected to the AFC’s top job by the slimmest possible margin earlier this year.

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{ ABOVE: Paul Collingwood is running into form hitting 65 and taking three wickets in win over Pakistan GRAEME SWANN has his sights set on World Cup glory but admits: I wouldn?t swap it for the Ashes.

England?s world-class spinner has recovered from a back complaint and travels to India today after missing the warm-up games. The Nottinghamshire ace, who became a dad for the first time on Thursday, was a key figure in England?s 3-1 Ashes triumph and last year?s World Twenty20 win. And while he would love to add the 50-over World Cup to his bulging trophy cabinet, Swann knows where the tournament fits in his pecking order. ?The World Cup is important because it?s a global event,? he said. ?It?s the ultimate one-day competition, the biggest 50-over event we play. ?But from my perspective as an England player it?s nowhere near as big as the Ashes.? Swann is one of several England stars whose bodies struggled to cope with the demands of the 100 day long tour Down Under. Bowlers Tim Bresnan (calf), Ajmal Shahzad (hamstring) and Stuart Broad (side) have all faced a race to be fit for the World Cup after picking up niggles in Oz. Star batsman Eoin Morgan was last week ruled out with a damaged thumb, although the injury is not as bad as first feared, and Swann reckons his will be the hardest boots to fill. ?If Eoin Morgan hadn?t been ruled out of the World Cup, he would have been recognised as the best one-day player on the planet,? Swann said. With Morgan gone, England?s batting hopes lie even more heavily on Kevin Pietersen?s broad shoulders. Big hitter KP (right) has been shifted up the order to open alongside skipper Andrew Strauss, following the failed experiment with Matt Prior. While to some the move smacks of desperation, former England bowler Matthew Hoggard believes it could pay off. ?KP has always said that he can?t just go out and slog, he actually needs to build an innings,? Hoggard said. ?You could say it?s a lack of foresight, but it could be a little bit of genius. ?Nobody?s going to think of KP opening the batting. ?Teams are going to have to think on their feet. ?I?m sure the plan hasn?t just come out of nowhere. ?If it comes off they?re going to look absolutely fantastic. ?But if it doesn?t, questions will be asked.? While England?s 6-1 one-day series defeat in Oz hit their confidence hard, the return of players of Swann and Broad?s calibre can only boost their chances. Broad has made an immediate impact on his return, with 10 wickets in two warm-up games against Canada and Pakistan. He produced another electric burst yesterday to finish with 5-25 as England beat Pakistan by 67 runs. Pietersen struck 66 and Paul Collingwood 65 as England clocked up 273 and bowled out Pakistan for 206. Hosts India face Bangladesh in Dhaka today in the opening clash of the tournament before England kick-off against Holland on Tuesday. Despite the chaotic nature of their build-up, Broad insists England can still deliver. ?It?s very special to be involved in such big matches and tournaments,? he said. ?With a team like we have and the belief we have in our team we stand a decent chance.?

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While many of us stick to the old standbys, there are those who want to break through the barrier between father and child. There are perfectly wonderful presents for Dad available. All you have to do is browse around a little to find the right idea for your father.

Books are a sure hit for some fathers. Consider your father’s hobbies and interests and you are certain to find at least one book that deals with his favorite subjects. These are among the most treasured presents for Dad if they are well thought out.

It doesn’t matter if your father prefers classic tales written by literary masters or a text about the many uses of duct tape. Books ought to be on the list of considerations for presents for Dad. There are a ton of options available and the topics are so very vast that you are sure to find something he loves.

Music is another great option. Perhaps your father has an old collection of vinyl records that he never uses. You have plenty of options to consider when it comes to this common problem. Some gifts for Dad can include updated compact discs of timeless classics from his era or a brand new record player equipped with modern amenities.

Some dads are really high tech. There are plenty of gadgets that are sure to entertain and delight your father no matter what his level of skill is. Finding user friendly technological presents for Dad is simple if you browse online. You are sure to find plenty of great devices that you may want to keep for yourself.

Then there are the sentimental gifts for fathers. These items are commonly given during milestone events like a first Father’s Day celebration or a special birthday that enters Dad into a brand new decade of his life. Great ideas for presents for Dad in the sentimental realm are quite personal and they may take some effort but they are always a great idea.

You can make all presents for Dad somewhat sentimental through the thought you put into the gifts. He may be difficult to shop for but he is well worth the effort.

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